Group Two Lennox Stakes Guide 2023

Alex Dudley | @@Alex_Dudz_

Goodwood - July 31 2023
Goodwood 15:00
5(8)
Kieran Shoemark

Pogo

J: Kieran Shoemark
T: Charles Hills
N/A
Age: 7
Weight: 9-5
OR: 111
Days: 31

Pogo will be making his fifth start of 2023 on Tuesday, but he has finished in the top three on just one occasion. He has form to find with Audience after finishing two lengths behind his returning rival in the G3 Criterion Stakes on his previous outing.

However, he will be looking to buck a number of trends, including the fact that only one seven-year-old has won the Lennox Stakes since 2000. The Kieran Shoemark ride isn’t without a chance on his best form, but he’s not the force of old.

Goodwood - July 31 2023
Goodwood 15:00
1(9)
NON-RUNNER

Al Suhail

J: NON-RUNNER
T: Charlie Appleby
N/A
Age: 6
Weight: 9-8
OR: 116
Days: 38

Charlie Appleby-trained Al Suhail will be the ride of William Buick in the Lennox Stakes on Tuesday. In June, the six-year-old ran a solid race to finish sixth in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Ascot.

However, his only wins since the start of 2022 have been secured at Meydan, with the latest of those coming over seven furlongs in the Ras Al Khor. This is a completely different prospect, but connections deserve respect.

Goodwood - July 31 2023
Goodwood 15:00
4(1)
Frankie Dettori

Kinross

J: Frankie Dettori
T: Ralph Beckett
N/A
Age: 6
Weight: 9-5
OR: 119
Days: 17

Frankie Dettori and Ralph Beckett join forces with Kinross in the Lennox Stakes. The six-year-old will be bidding to become only the third horse to win the race on two occasions after landing victory in 2021.

He returned to action after finishing third in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Mile, taking seventh of 16 in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Ascot on June 24.

He likely needed that run and was a length and a half behind Shaquille over six furlongs in the G1 July Cup Stakes at Newmarket on his previous start. Solid claims.

Goodwood - July 31 2023
Goodwood 15:00
6(2)
Oisin Murphy

Holguin

J: Oisin Murphy
T: Andrew Balding
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 8-13
OR: 111
Days: 17

Holguin has been a consistent runner over seven furlongs throughout this season, and he finally got off the mark by landing the Raymond & Kathleen Corbett Memorial City Plate Stakes at Chester on July 15.

The three-year-old has finished second on three occasions over seven furlongs this season, which includes his effort in the Nyetimber Surrey Stakes behind Olivia Maralda. Oisin Murphy takes the ride.

Goodwood - July 31 2023
Goodwood 15:00
2(4)
Robert Havlin

Audience

J: Robert Havlin
T: John & Thady Gosden
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 9-5
OR: 113
Days: 31

Audience could be the solid contender in this field for John & Thady Gosden. The four-year-old was excellent over seven furlongs at Newmarket on his previous start, beating Jumby by two lengths in the G3 Criterion Stakes.

That was his second straight win following being gelded, as he was also a winner over seven furlongs at Leicester. He deserves to take his shot in Group 2 company, and there would be little surprise to see him involved.

Goodwood - July 31 2023
Goodwood 15:00
9(7)
Jamie Spencer

Marbaan

J: Jamie Spencer
T: Charlie Fellowes
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 8-13
OR: 110
Days: 39

Charlie Fellowes trains Marbaan and will be the ride of Jamie Spencer at Goodwood on Tuesday. He finished 12th of 13 on his previous start at Ascot in the G1 Commonwealth Cup.

Marbaan will relish being back down in grade after finishing second in the Cathedral Stakes at Salisbury over six furlongs in late May. However, there are likely more progressive contenders more suited to this trip.

Goodwood - July 31 2023
Goodwood 15:00
8(5)
Sean Levey

Isaac Shelby

J: Sean Levey
T: Brian Meehan
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 8-13
OR: 114
Days: 42

Isaac Shelby is a three-year-old runner for Brian Meehan on Tuesday. Sean Levey will take the ride on this contender, who has last seen finishing fourth of nine in the G1 St James’s Palace Stakes at Ascot.

He competed over seven furlongs earlier in the season, beating Charyn by three lengths. If he is able to replicate that level of performance, he should stand an excellent chance back down in grade.

Goodwood - July 31 2023
Goodwood 15:00
7(6)
Kevin Stott

Indestructible

J: Kevin Stott
T: K R Burke
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 8-13
OR: 111
Days: 23

Indestructible is a runner for Karl Burke in the Lennox Stakes on Tuesday. He finished fourth over seven furlongs at Deauville on his previous effort, and has some standout early season form over a mile.

On his seasonal reappearance, he beat The Foxes at Newmarket, but has struggled in Group 1s since, finishing tenth of 14 in the G1 2,000 Guineas and fifth of nine behind Paddington in the G1 St James’s Palace Stakes.